Noblessner Quarter vision (Noblessner Kvartali ideelahendus), 2015

Noblessner Quarter is one of the last waterfront in Tallinn which is still under development. The quarter sits on the former Noblessner Shipyard which was built prior to the World War I. After owning its own small yacht harbour in 2009, the quarter started improve by renovating old factory buildings for enterprises as well as accommodating cultural events. Now it foresees the full-scale living function.

Noblessner Quarter is one of the last waterfront in Tallinn which is still under development. The quarter sits on the former Noblessner Shipyard which was built prior to the World War I. After owning its own small yacht harbour in 2009, the quarter started improve by renovating old factory buildings for enterprises as well as accommodating cultural events. Now it foresees the full-scale living function.

The proposal supports the maximum possibility of being in direct contact with active street life. The apartment buildings are proportioned not to overwhelm the people by sizes but at the same time to protect against the prevailing sea breeze. Different materials and construction methods are used for each building’s facades to create unique characters. We thought to find logical transition of materials in order to create rich built environment, by not through “copy-paste“, which often imitate small building scales.

Salutaguse Manor Field (Salutaguse Mõisamaa visioon), 2015-

The area is located in Kohila, Rapla County, about 29 km away from Tallinn, the Salutaguse Manor Fields development with its 219 hectares surrounds the former estate of the Salutaguse Manor house, dating back to 1872. It envisions to become a new centre accommodates a kindergarten, a nursery, a medical service facility as well as a micro brewery, distillery and gastro entertainment in the centre of the complex at the heart of the historic manor concourse. The field also includes offices and light industrial areas regarding the existing yeast factory.

The area is located in Kohila, Rapla County, about 29 km away from Tallinn, the Salutaguse Manor Fields development with its 219 hectares surrounds the former estate of the Salutaguse Manor house, dating back to 1872. It envisions to become a new centre accommodates a kindergarten, a nursery, a medical service facility as well as a micro brewery, distillery and gastro entertainment in the centre of the complex at the heart of the historic manor concourse. The field also includes offices and light industrial areas regarding the existing yeast factory.

The competition called for an vision to initiate the long-term process. The zones are divided into 5 zones; the central zone around the manor house, residential zone with apartment buildings, row houses, private houses, educational zone with a school and a kindergarten, green area and industrial area.

Thinking the potential residents’ profile, we believe that key for the development success is a creation of centre zone which differs from typical suburban developments. Character of the residential buildings shall support to create a strong image of the place.

The empty plots from past decades in the up and coming Kalamaja district in Tallinn have been getting filled. The district with mixture of 1 to 2-storey wooden apartment building along with stone buildings of small factories has been popular area to move in among bohemians and young families.

The brief was to fit two volumes (an apartment building and a private house) into the corner site. Our idea was to enjoy archaic and primitive building silhouette accentuated by window placement.

The empty plots from past decades in the up and coming Kalamaja district in Tallinn have been getting filled. The district with mixture of 1 to 2-storey wooden apartment building along with stone buildings of small factories has been popular area to move in among bohemians and young families.

The brief was to fit two volumes (an apartment building and a private house) into the corner site. Our idea was to enjoy archaic and primitive building silhouette accentuated by window placement.

The complex shares underground parking and pocket park at the street corner. The private house is designed with own yard as an extention from the living room and sauna.

The site is located in Tartu at the boader of the city centre and Supilinn neighbourhood. We were asked to harmonize with the surrounding atmosphere.

The location enables the building to bridge between two neigbourhoods. The centre is characterized by 3 to 5-storey stone buildings and the Supilinn neighbourhood is by 1 to 2-storey wooden apartment buildings.

The site is located in Tartu at the border of the city centre and Supilinn neighbourhood. We were asked to harmonize with the surrounding atmosphere.

The location enables the building to bridge between two neigbourhoods. The centre is characterized by 3 to 5-storey stone buildings and the Supilinn neighbourhood is by 1 to 2-storey wooden apartment buildings.

The street-side volumes are designed according to the adjacent buildings with pitched-roof and the in-between block is to create cozy courtyard protected from the traffic noise.

The discreet volume of the building is accentuated by balconies and roof articulation.

The former Tivoli area lies between the Tallinn harbour and a historical residential area Kadriorg. The artificial land by landfill from the 1930s has foreseen an extension of a major by-pass around the city. The area has been one of the strategic areas for development of Tallinn, so was chosen as a site for an architectural competition Europan 6 in 2007. The winning proposal was further developed into a detail planning by Rein Murula AB, which was approved in 2008.

The former Tivoli area lies between the Tallinn harbour and a historical residential area Kadriorg. The artificial land by landfill from the 1930s has foreseen an extension of a major by-pass around the city. The area has been one of the strategic areas for development of Tallinn, so was chosen as a site for an architectural competition Europan 6 in 2007. The winning proposal was further developed into a detail planning by Rein Murula AB, which was approved in 2008. Thanks to the approved planning, zigzag shape building area and volume as well as extent of glass-covered balconies were tightly defined. At least 3 competitions were held and we were eventually selected to implement the project.

We thought this location needs city centre atmosphere within natural environment close to the forest and the sea. Also we felt the given building envelope still missed human scale. By breaking up the volume of cantilevered balconies with colours and materials, we tried to achieve varied articulation to bring a new dimension. Incorporation of landscape elements among existing trees and plants helped to strengthen the park-like feeling between the buildings, which was to be offered to the public.

Summer House in Pärnu County (Suvila Pärnu maakonnas), 2011-

The site is located amongst thick forest by the Baltic Sea. We were asked to use wood from the local forest for a modest summer house, which can be used all-year-around. Within the compact volume we tried to contain zones characterised by different views, light conditions and spatial settings. The life within the house is organized around a fireplace with heat-accumulating wall.

The site is located amongst thick forest by the Baltic Sea. We were asked to use wood from the local forest for a modest summer house, which can be used all-year-around. Within the compact volume we tried to contain zones characterised by different views, light conditions and spatial settings. The life within the house is organized around a fireplace with heat-accumulating wall.

Apartment Building in Nõmme (Korterelamu Nõmmel), 2005-2013

Located just outside of the city centre of Tallinn, a quiet residential area Nõmme is known for the first Estonian Republic time functionalistic residential buildings and pine tree forest. It has been beloved residential area for a long time. Thanks to the surroundings with rich greenery and pedestrian-oriented zone between the Nõmme centre and railway station the area foresees more dense environment.

Located just outside of the city centre of Tallinn, a quiet residential area Nõmme is known for the first Estonian Republic time functionalistic residential buildings and pine tree forest. It has been a beloved residential area for a long time. Thanks to the surroundings with rich greenery and pedestrian-oriented zone between the Nõmme centre and railway station the area foresees more dense environment.
Apartment building complex consists of two of 4-storey volumes, connected in the basement level. Although the volumes defined by the detail planning are articulated as different building, they are to create a whole at the same time.
The volumes are accentuated with glass balconies and rhythm of windows. In the process of marketing named as “Coffee & Cognac” the colours of exterior walls actually reflect the internal and external colours of pine trees which grow in Nõmme area. Additionally the green coloured silk-screened glass in the balconies helps the building to blend into the surroundings, in other words the whole complex is tuned as abstracted nature.
The public zone is treated according to the principle of black and white.

The site has been not-in- use for about a decade, firstly used as military storage since 19th century, later police station. The premire location, nearby the Old Town of Tallinn and at the begining of beautiful wooden house area, would need to accommodate 8 new apartment buildings in harmony with culturally important building of lime stone from the 19th century. Firstly decided was to bring the value of the lime stone storage building to the new ‘plaza’ defined by the corner building. The other apartment building were located and shaped to meet insolation requirement. The landscaping was intended to create community among residents as well as to protect their privacy.

The site has been not-in- use for about a decade, firstly used as military storage since 19th century, later police station. The premire location, nearby the Old Town of Tallinn and at the begining of beautiful wooden house area, would need to accommodate 8 new apartment buildings in harmony with culturally important building of lime stone from the 19th century. Firstly decided was to bring the value of the lime stone storage building to the new ‘plaza’ defined by the corner building. The other apartment building were located and shaped to meet insolation requirement. The landscaping was intended to create community among residents as well as to protect their privacy.

Musician’s House in Tallinn (Muusiku maja Tallinnas), 2005-10

The existing house stands inside of the courtyard among wooden houses in the area protected as the “valuable miljöö” in the outer ring of the central city of Tallinn. The existing stone structure, once served as a lemonade factory, was originally built at the beginning of 1950, stood empty for a while. The small but stone house is now to be renovated and extended for live/ work purpose for a musician. The proposal is to maximize the inner volume in the addition part within the limitation by the building code, as well as to keep privacy from the immediate neighbours through appropriate window sizes and orientation. The exterior wall is to be rendered roughly in light grey as respect to the existing building.

The existing house stands inside of the courtyard among wooden houses in the area protected as the “valuable miljöö” in the outer ring of the central city of Tallinn. The existing stone structure, once served as a lemonade factory, was originally built at the beginning of 1950, stood empty for a while. The small but stone house is now to be renovated and extended for live/ work purpose for a musician. The proposal is to maximize the inner volume in the addition part within the limitation by the building code, as well as to keep privacy from the immediate neighbours through appropriate window sizes and orientation. The exterior wall is to be rendered roughly in light grey as respect to the existing building.

Team:
Liis Voksep, Tomomi Hayashi
Interior Design:
Galina Burnakova
Award:Shared 2nd place for the “Private House Award 2008-2012” with the two other entries.Honorable mention by the “VELUX prize for the building with roof window in Estonia 2012”.
Site Area: 976m²
Building Area: 88.2m²
Total Floor Area: 177.5m²
Design and Construction: 2005-2009

The Soviet time off-limit port and warehouse area has been given to private sector since 90s. It now sees the biggest opportunity of redeveloping in the vicinity of the historical Old Town. The triangular site was shaped by the planned extension of 4-lane artery. We saw the challenge to create one of the first living rooms close to the port, offering the residents views and air, at the same time to contribute to the public architecturally and urbanistically. Y-shape building with central corridor minimizes its foot print, avoiding the street alignment of the block-type apartment buildings. Both the residents and the public on the street shall share the extra room within the property line.

The Soviet time off-limit port and warehouse area has been given to private sector since 90s. It now sees the biggest opportunity of redeveloping in the vicinity of the historical Old Town. The triangular site was shaped by the planned extension of 4-lane artery. We saw the challenge to create one of the first living rooms close to the port, offering the residents views and air, at the same time to contribute to the public architecturally and urbanistically. Y-shape building with central corridor minimizes its foot print, avoiding the street alignment of the block-type apartment buildings. Both the residents and the public on the street shall share the extra room within the property line. The facade materials are chosen to bring in the nature; exterior panel applied with natural wood veneer, spandrel glass printed with pattern of plants, and glass curtain wall which projects human nature in everyday life.

The site is located in the old town in Tartu along the street where offices and institutions. The approach was not only to fit the new volume into the historical context but also to add value to that in contemporary manner. The compact volume consisting of 8 apartments provides living space in split level, mostly opening to two directions; street side and courtyard side in order to maximize the opportunity to reside in the old town. The roof and facade are articulated with tall windows to create rhythm to the streetscape.

The site is located in the old town in Tartu along the street where offices and institutions. The approach was not only to fit the new volume into the historical context but also to add value to that in contemporary manner. The compact volume consisting of 8 apartments provides living space in split level, mostly opening to two directions; street side and courtyard side in order to maximize the opportunity to reside in the old town. The roof and facade are articulated with tall windows to create rhythm to the streetscape.

This mixed-use development is located right at the heart of the city center of Tallinn. The large scale urban infill project is envisioned to become a gateway to the port area from the city center as well as a key connection point to on-going development in the Rotermann Quarter next door.

This mixed-use development is located right at the heart of the city center of Tallinn. The large scale urban infill project is envisioned to become a gateway to the port area from the city center as well as a key connection point to on-going development in the Rotermann Quarter next door.

When we got commission we wondered how to design inner city shopping mall typology without losing connection to its surroundings. Our approach was to treat differently 3 corridors or passages running through the complex in order to articulate the building volume and functions; up-scale retails, restaurants, office and apartments. All apartments and offices are equipped with balconies or terraces to enjoy exclusive private space at this very city centre.